DBT: Dirt of the WEEK!

James Stewart back sooner than NEVER and now LONGER

Some of the talk on the street earlier in the year. Was would James Stewart retire because he could not race for most of 2015 because of his drug violation ban? We have the definitive answer, NO. A media release just floated across the WWW stating that JS will not only be racing the Monster Cup and Red BUll Straight line later this year, but will also be aboard Yosh Factory Suzuki for 2016. This could also be the last year we might see Stewart, a quote in the release, “I’m happy to finish out my career with Suzuki,” Stewart said. In a round about way 2016 could be his farewell tour, changing of the guard, end of an era or some other cliche. We doubt he will race the last two nationals of the year so expect to see Bubba back racing October 11, 2015 in pomona, CA

Honda’s Box Van Stolen in So Cal

If anyone in the high desert area around Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto see a white Box van (8C8o424 license plate) with aluminum wheels driving around with possibly odd looking Honda CRF Motocross bikes inside, contact the Po-Po right away. The van was pinched near Competitive Edge on June 16. The contents of the van were not disclosed but inside could be 2016 or even prototype bikes that have never been see. So if there are any odd-looking CRFs in the desert this weekend riding around, go get yourself possibly a 2016, 2017 or 2018 CRF, or at least call the boys in blue and report the sighting.

2016: Scott’s Rant And The New And Old Suzuki RMZs

This is that time of year moto heads are all waiting for the new sleds to be released. The KX450F is all new, YZ450F gets some new stuff and a revised frame, Honda CRF450R gets very minor changes like a 5mm longer fork and the same old (what some call) underpowered engine, at least compared to the competition. KTM, Factory Edition based 2016 450, which happens to be totally new and super-light compared to the standard 2015.
We have been hearing for a few years Suzuki had a new 450, yet again for 2016 the bike is pretty much the same. BUT, yes a big BUT. Realize the bike at the factory level is still winning. Just last weekend Ken Roczen won one what started out as a standard RMZ450.

So have we hit that point where more power is not going to do the average person a hill of beans? I sure know that I don’t need 62hp. I remember when 450s came stock with 48 and a 50hp 450 was a rocket ship. And now the bikes are getting lighter and are right at that 60hp mark all day long. The only saving grace compared to the old two-stroke big-bore area is rideability. Back in the day the chassis were not as good, the suspension sucked compared to now and 500 two-strokes packed in 60-plus hard-hitting power. It took a special person to take control of a open-class bike back in the day and ride them to their true potential. But even today, you need to be a world class athlete to be able to ride a 450 four-stroke to the stops for any length of time. The bikes are spectacular and make most riders feel like a hero, yet the crashes are also more spectacular and make you feel like a zero laying on the ground. Are current 450s too good to be true? Under the hands of an average rider, is it like giving the keys to a brand new Corvette to a 16-year-old the day after he gets his license?

I love 450s but I have had to learn to respect them and teach myself to ride within my means and not the means of the motorcycle. Some of the 2016 machines may very well raise the bar once again, but ever since the early 70s, we keep thinking the bar is as high as it can get and it keeps getting higher. Water-cooled two-strokes were the cats meow in the early 80s, now most OEM no longer even offer two-strokes. Will the four-stoke be replaced by the 5-stroke or electric one day, only time will tell.

KTM In THE BLACK

Check it out, Bloomberg reported some financials on KTM AG: KTM reported earnings results for the fiscal year 2015. The company’s motorcycle sales grew 28% to 0.158 million units during 2014 with turnover growing at 21% to EUR 864.6 million and PAT at EUR 57.2 million, growth of 57%. Yes a lot of their sales are now street bikes and overseas sales, yet the once also-ran in America is a huge player in off-road. Their bikes are a little more expensive then their Japanese counterparts, yet we will have to see sales of the 2016 model years with all of the recent changes. Here is a link to check out some of the Katoom financials, pretty impressive. CLICK HERE

2016 RMZ250: Lots of NEW

While the 450 gets very few changes for 2016, the smaller 250 does. Some might say the bike is not that different, mostly because the plastics have not changed but there are a lot of changes under the hood and within the entire chassis. Below are bits from the PR release. For a full list, CLICK HERE

Tested and developed with the help of Suzuki’s top professional racers, the 2016 RM-Z250 features the Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control (S-HAC), a selectable launch mode system that helps riders launch from the starting gate no matter the gate conditions. Riders choose one of three modes with a simple push button on the left handlebar, selecting the best option for their skill level and starting surface conditions.

Suzuki engineers gave the 2016 RM-Z250 major suspension upgrades, including a new KYB air fork that delivers improved performance, simplified tuning adjustments, and reduced weight compared to the traditional spring fork. The new KYB shock uses improved damping adjusters for tuning rebound, high-speed compression – now adjustable by clicks – and low-speed compression. The adjusters are now positioned on top of the shock for easier adjustments.

The RM-Z250 features a new frame designed to amplify the benefits of the suspension updates. The frame delivers improved control through braking bumps, has a lighter feel, and maintains the RM-Z’s cornering mastery.

The RM-Z250 is powered by a 249cc fuel-injected four-stroke engine with modifications to the fuel mapping that help ease engine starting and improve roll-on power feel. Suzuki’s fuel-injection system is made even better with the additional fuel couplers that give riders fuel-delivery customization that requires no tools.

Even with these updates, the 2016 Suzuki RM-Z250’s retail price is $7,699, and the bike is available in a Champion Yellow / Solid Black body.

-Dozens of engine updates help the RM-Z250 deliver improved mid-range power and torque
These engine updates also aid in easing starting and smoothing engine braking
-The Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control (S-HAC), a selectable three-mode system, helps riders launch from the starting gate no matter the gate conditions
-New KYB PSF2 air fork that delivers improved performance, simple spring-preload adjustment with an air-pump, and reduced weight
-This extraordinary fork also features class-leading high- and low-speed rebound damping and high- and low-speed compression damping adjusters
-New KYB shock uses specialized damping adjusters for tuning high- and low-speed rebound damping and high- and low-speed compression damping force
-New front brake caliper is 10 percent lighter than previous model
-Revised frame geometry delivers improved control through braking bumps, has a lighter feel, and keeps this 250 the best handling MX bike in the class
-The advanced battery-less fuel-injection (FI) system features a 44mm throttle body with progressive throttle linkage and a 16-bit computer
-The aluminum cylinder with Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM) coating is built for durability, light weight and efficient heat transfer
-Race-inspired disc rotors and Excel aluminum rims are standard equipment
-Renthal aluminum Fatbar – standard equipment – has more strength and less vibration than aluminum straight handlebars
-Two couplers are included for quickly adjusting the fuel setting to suit the riding conditions. One is for a richer fuel setting than the stock setting and the other is for a leaner fuel setting. Customer can change the fuel setting to suit the best riding conditions by just connecting either coupler.

Dakar Rally, Honda and the National Geographic, a must see

The prestigious National Geographic Channel (NatGeo) has released a one-hour long report on the Dakar Rally, with Team HRC as the protagonist of the story. It shows how the team was forged and what technical innovations have been brought into the off-road sector and even features some of the personal experiences lived during the fortnight of the world’s toughest race. You are sure to enjoy it!

You can download the link, or check the list and check the schedule of the channel in your country to confirm times and repeats of the program.

Roczen Wins but does not advance

RCH Suzuki rider Ken Roczen did win this past weekend at Mt Morris by besting point leader Ryan Dungey. In the end the overall went to the Suzuki but the point battle remained stagnate, the two swapped moto wins so the point chase did not change. As of now Diesel Dungey has a command of the series. In fact, KTM now commands both the 250 and 450 classes in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Series. Is this the year KTM will dominate American MX?

450 Points:
1. Ryan Dungey 222
2. Ken Roczen185
3. Jason Anderson150
4. Justin Barcia148
5. Blake Baggett145

250 Class Points
1. Marvin Musquin 219
2. Jeremy Martin 211
3. Jessy Nelson 146
4. Adam Cianciarulo1 43
5. Joey Savatgy 135

This five-year-old girl is cooler than you’ll ever be… via. GoPro